Dusseldorf Part Drei

This morning we walked to Dusseldorf- just kidding, one could never get tired of buses and trains. 

We met up with a pharmacist, Holger Neye, working for the physician organization Kassenarztliche Vereinigung Nordrhein (KVN) which is the regional organization of KBV (we were there during our Berlin week). The KVN serves as the local representatives of the KBV. 

Mr. Neye gave us a presentation about funding doctors receive for their patients' medications and how this budget is determined.  We shared how in the USA, we utilize insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers to try to limit healthcare costs, and that our doctors do not have budgets for their patients' prescriptions. 

In the afternoon, we headed to the University of Dusseldorf to learn more about the PhD program within the Institution of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics.  We listened to a presentation about different research topics at the Institute, and then took a tour of the Institute's facilities.  Many of the machines and technology are donated or contracted from pharmaceutical industry companies for a period of time.

University of Dusseldorf's Institute of Pharmaceutics

Machine for making dissolving films

Mini pill press

Sarah and Selam with mini-pill supplies

Pharmacy student project

After the tour, we had a discussion about the program and how our pharmacy education in the USA compares.  

Sebastian led us back to the Burgerstube in the afternoon, and we had a couple hours to relax before our final farewell dinner at the Burgerstube. 

Crepes with icecream

Sebastian & Joe

Thank you, Josh!

Thank you, Nic!

Frau Biester ist die beste!

Thank you, Ms. Biester!

Pharmacy Chamber in Dusseldorf

After a heated discussion during breakfast, we headed to Dusseldorf to visit their pharmacy chamber.  

Back in Dussesldorf

Made it to Dusseldorf Pharmacy Chamber

The Dusseldorf chamber President and Vice President introduced themselves and the chamber, as well as current projects they are working on.  The Chamber recently published results from a longitudinal study assessing medication risks for elderly patients in nursing homes.  A standardized risk management process was created to improve medication safety for elderly patients. 

The Chamber is also involved in a current project, Athina, which is a brown bag program focused on pharmacotherapy. 

The topic of continuing education for pharmacists in Germany was brought up.  Currently, continuing education is not required, but encouraged.  In the USA, pharmacists are required to complete 30 hours  of CE every two years.  Certificates are available for German pharmacists who complete CE every three years but this is not incentive enough. 

The Dusseldorf pharmacy chamber is supportive of further pharmacy research, in order to push the profession forward, but it has not been initiated. 

With the Dusseldorf Pharmacy Chamber President (2nd from right) and Vice President (left)

After discussion we headed to lunch at the oldest restaurant in Dusseldorf!

U.S. Consulate General Dusseldorf

Amazing!  One of the many words and thoughts on my mind after visiting with the U.S. Consulate General of Dusseldorf, Stephen Hubler, this morning.  

I never really knew what the Foreign Service (part of the Department of State) fully entailed, but after learning so much this morning about the Consulate General and his career, I was interested and inspired. 

Some of the Consulate General's duties are the support U.S. citizens in Germany, act as an ambassador of the United States, and promote relations with Germany.  Hubler has had many experiences around the globe in his 20+ years working for the Department of State.  

Visit with the U.S. Consulate General of Dusseldorf, Stephen Hubler

After asking so many questions, he encouraged me to check into opportunities with the Foreign Services!

His advice to us: If you are passionate about something, and think you can work hard enough to do it well, then go for it!

More info about the U.S. Consulate General: http://duesseldorf.usconsulate.gov

After our visit at the U.S. General Consulate Office, Sebastian gave us a tour of Dusseldorf.

 Japan Center

 Dusseldorf

Sampled some truffles here!

Exploring Dusseldorf

Relaxing in the sunshine

Enjoying Dusseldorf

Old city center

Dusseldorf along the Rhine River

Later in the afternoon, we visited the University of Dusseldorf for a second time on this trip, to present to the Germany Federation of Pharmacy Students at their Annual Conference. 

 

Willkommen!

On campus at the University of Dusseldorf

Before giving our presentation to the German pharmacy students

Today was a good day- looking forward to the weekend!  And next week in Berlin...